Chapter 24

"Shoot 'em, don't let 'em near the base!" hollered soldier 1, gripping his gun and blasting shots at the approaching undead, followed swiftly by soldier 3.

"Step aside, lemme show you the smart way to deal with these undead," grunted the old man, shoving Daniel and soldier 3 out of his path. He aimed the flamethrower's muzzle straight at the approaching undead, disgust etched on his face. "You gotta use the right tool to put down this stench of the dead," he muttered before unleashing a torrent of flames that reduced the horde to ashes.

"Ugh, they reek even worse when they're burnt to nothin'," complained the old man, using a hand to shield his nostrils from the lingering odor.

Surveying the scene, the old man spotted more zombies charging toward them.

"Man, they just keep swarming, but hey, with this flamethrower, I've got no worries," the old man declared as he unleashed a fiery torrent, turning the approaching zombies into burning corpses. "Burn to the ground, you bitches!"

Daniel and Helen, the soldiers, stood in awe, witnessing the old man's fiery display with amazement. A grin played on his face as he continued to incinerate the undead.

Approaching the old man, soldier three wore a puzzled expression. "Sir, I gotta ask. None of us in the unit could figure out that flamethrower. How do you manage it?"

"Hmm, spent a few years as a firefighter after retiring from the army," the old man explained, glancing at the blazing zombies. His expression turned somber. "But this thing's too much. I've blocked exit 2, but it's like facing a burning hell right in front of us. Flames won't calm down."

"Thanks for saving us," Daniel expressed his gratitude, glancing at their savior. "But exit 2 is a no-go. We need another way out of this base," he added, a hint of urgency in his voice.

"Let's go," Daniel took the lead, stepping forward with purpose. Helen fell in step behind him, a mix of relief and determination in her eyes. The old man and the soldiers, recognizing the need for swift action, trailed closely, ready for whatever awaited them beyond the confines of the base.

—--

Daniel, soldiers, the old man, and Helen were toiling away inside the base. In the distance, a child's cries echoed, tugging at their attention. Daniel, prompted by the poignant sound, turned to locate its source. A little one, tears streaming down their face, caught his eye, a sight that stirred thoughts of his own family, casting a shadow of sorrow across his face.

Helen, sensing Daniel's distress, shifted her gaze to him. She noted the sadness etched on his features and, in a reassuring tone, uttered, "Don't fret too much. Your wife and daughter will pull through."

Reaching out, she gently took hold of Daniel's hand, offering solace. "Your wife's sharp, resilient. She can weather any storm. Your daughter and wife are safe, you know."

Observing the scene from his spot beside a group of soldiers, the old man, engaged in planning, watched Daniel and Helen. Inwardly, he mused, "Thought this kid was hitched. Maybe this gal's got a soft spot for him, is he pretending to not to know, hmm i think its Better not delve too deep into it,let both of them settle this within themselves."

"We've got a big truck parked right outside, ready to haul everyone in the base out. But the real snag is figuring out how to get all the kids out safely," Soldier 1 reported.

Daniel, wearing a furrowed brow, turned to Soldier 1. "Where's the truck?"

"The truck's parked a bit of a hike away, near exit 2," Soldier 1 answered.

In a concerned tone, Daniel responded, "I've got an idea. Some of us should head up and distract those undead in the opposite direction. If we can pull it off, we load up the kids first, then the elderly, grab our supplies, and pick up the folks drawing the undead away. We make our escape from this base," Daniel proposed.

Soldier 1 chimed in, "Sounds like a solid plan. Any brave souls willing to volunteer?" he added with a touch of sarcasm.

Two eager shoulders shot up simultaneously, and with a shared determination, they exclaimed, "I volunteer, sir!"

Soldier 1 furrowed his brows, questioning, "Is that all? For this plan, we need at least 3 or 4 people to help lure the undead away."

In response, Daniel thrust his hands upward, asserting, "Count me in!"

As Daniel stepped forward, Helen, catching the infectious spirit, approached, ready to join. She began, "I will volunt-" but was promptly interrupted by Daniel.

"No, you can't go," Daniel declared firmly. He shifted his focus to Soldier 1, adding, "For this plan to succeed, we only need 3 people. Having more could limit our chances of success."

Daniel turned to Helen, his eyes filled with concern. "You help the kids get into the truck, Helen. I know you've got this," he reassured.

Helen's gaze met Daniel's, a hint of sadness evident on her face. It was clear she was reluctant to part ways with him.

"We'll put the plan into action once the fire in exit 2 settles down," Daniel declared, his voice steady despite the urgency in the air.